How Cockroaches Use Karate Kicks to Avoid Becoming Zombies | National Geographic

To escape the "zombifying" sting of emerald jewel wasps, cockroaches deliver swift kicks aimed at the wasps' heads.

#NationalGeographic #Cockroaches #Zombies

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It's a life-saving tactic to avoid what would be a gruesome fate for the cockroach. The emerald jewel wasp is a parasitic insect with a venomous sting, which it uses to put a cockroach into a passive, zombie-like state. After stinging the cockroach once to paralyze its front legs, it strikes a second time, injecting neurotoxins into the roach's brain. With free will lost, the cockroach can be led by its antennae to the wasp’s burrow, where it will lay an egg on the cockroach. Eventually, the cockroach will be eaten alive by the wasp's larva.

However, cockroaches do have the ability to fight back against the wasps. Biologist Kenneth Catania of Vanderbilt University studied the insect encounters and noted six ways that cockroaches defended themselves, including powerful kicks and biting. In the study, sixty-three percent of the cockroaches that launched any of these defenses against wasps avoided being stung.

Read "How roaches avoid deadly zombification—and more breakthroughs"

How Cockroaches Use Karate Kicks to Avoid Becoming Zombies | National Geographic

National Geographic

[Shok]

The accuracy of their kicks is really satisfying

[dragonslayeromega]

Soon they'll learn to kick your flip-flop back to your face.

[rivertrash]

I'm watching a cockroach throw head kicks at a wasp with the ability to turn other insects into zombies....

Thanks internet, you'll always be undefeated.

[GamingOnGamma]

Cockroaches are final boss material at this point.
-Disgusting/intimidating
-Can Fly
-Knows MMA
-Can survive being nuked

[noer]

*Finally, a worthy opponent. Our battle will be legendary.*

[rinyourhead]

Now youtube is recommending me a video on cockroaches performing karate kicks...

[emerosky]

After being stomped for milenia, they learned to use their legs against others.

[mochimochi]

0:08 real life footage of me approaching girls.

[MEN]

These UFC roaches have my respect! 💪👊🤜🤛

[rielitty]

_every cockroach was kungfu fighting._

[othatsj]

It's all fun and games until you try to kill one then it flies and kicks you in the face

[oceankeisam]

I've learned 2 lessons
1 - dont UNDERESTIMATE a roach
2 - start practicing karate, it might save you

[crystalm]

Great now we’ve got to defend against cockroaches who know KARATE!!!!

[MrLookpro]

2:01 *raises leg*


omae wa mou shindeiru

[TheGreatCoalKing]

Title made me rethink my life choices.

[AzlianaLyana]

Hmm..interesting skills, I am amazed how they can improved them self to fight back with the wasp, while I'm learning new tricks here to kill my true enemy = (cockroaches)

[tigershark]

2019: Cockroaches know Kung Fu
2020: Cockroaches can wield Zweihänders
2021: Cockroaches can use Guerilla and Trench Warfare.
2022: It's way too late for us mankind. The cockroach Blitzkrieg has single-handedly brought the United Nations down to its knees. They're dual wielding railguns and we are slaves to our insectoid overlords. We have to follow the colony's every command. Please... save us-- *static noise*

[vuxigeck]

I'm not even watching this at 3 am, I'm just genuinely curious enough to take 5 minutes off my day to watch this.

[kelthuzad]

Too bad it won't save it from my slipper

[Ryquard]

Roaches learnt good Kung fu from their Mantis masters